The Spartans and Wolverines also are joined by fellow Big Ten rival Ohio State on Winn's list, a group of which the national champion is "guaranteed" to come out of, or at least that's the writer's hope.

Winn said he doesn't take just Nos. 1-8 through the polls and tries to include a long shot or two. Here's what he had to say about the Big Ten's top teams:

Michigan State

Winn: "The current Spartans are more efficient than the versions Tom Izzo got to the Final Four in 2005, 2009 and 2010. They're the most dominant rebounding team in the country, grabbing 57.3 percent of available boards on the offensive and defensive glass. They have a senior leader in point forward Draymond Green who does not seem inclined to let them bow out of the NCAA tournament early. The stats, coach and intangibles all meet the championship standard."

Michigan

Winn: "The Wolverines are 20-7 and outside the top 10 of the polls, despite having a few big wins on their resume. Remember which team, on the same week last season, was 20-7 and just outside the top 10, despite having a few big wins on its resume? The answer is UConn. (The Eight Ball does have better reasons for picking Michigan, namely that the Wolverines have been playing solid, turnover-creating, low-fouling defense in Big Ten games, and that a late-season surge from Tim Hardaway Jr. could take their offense from good to elite.)"

Ohio State

Winn: "The markets are down on the Buckeyes, who've dropped to a season-low No. 8 in the AP poll and are unlikely to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. But it's worthwhile to keep in mind that they still have the country's most efficient defense -- one that forces turnovers at a high rate, limits opponents to one shot and keeps fouling to a minimum. Jared Sullinger's offense is just as good as it was during his freshman year, and he's become a better all-around defender due to his weight loss. If William Buford heats up again, as should happen, Ohio State will be the scariest No. 2 seed since UCLA's loaded 2006 squad."

His list also includes Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Syracuse and Wichita State.